Test driving an M3

[aad]

A friend has graciously loaned me his excellent M3 and some lenses-I get to compare to my IIIf directly and see what the new-fangled stuff is like!

Wow, the M3 sure is big! And the rangefinder clarity is unbelievable!

Won't fit in my pocket, though...and is more fragile.

Bigger than a Pentax MX. Hmmm...

 

[colyn]

A friend has graciously loaned me his excellent M3 and some lenses-I get to compare to my IIIf directly and see what the new-fangled stuff is like!

You must be some friend that he would trust his Leica to ya..😀 😀 😀

Wow, the M3 sure is big! And the rangefinder clarity is unbelievable!

It does beat out the rf of the IIIf..😎

Won't fit in my pocket, though...and is more fragile.

How would you say it is more fragile?

Bigger than a Pentax MX. Hmmm...

And built better than the Pentax..

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

A friend has graciously loaned me his excellent M3 and some lenses-I get to compare to my IIIf directly and see what the new-fangled stuff is like!

aad,

You really shouldn't have done that. Now, after looking through the viewfinder of the M3 you are doomed. I remember the first time I looked through the viewfinder on a M2. The memory haunted me for two years and then I finally bought one. I'm glad I did. I'm just glad I didn't look through one when my kids were little and at home.

Wayne

 

[haagen_dazs]

i thought it was about the BMW 🙂

 

[aad]

It's funny-my IIIf is actually pretty good, and I generally use auxiliary viewfinders, but the M3 really just pops!

My friend is a big fan of M cameras, but tells me the M3 RF is more delicate than the screwmount ones-more complicated as well. The screwmounts can take more banging around.

Is it better built than a Pentax MX? It sure feels nicer.

 

[colyn]

Is it better built than a Pentax MX? It sure feels nicer.

The Pentax uses a lot of plastic. The lens however are of excellent quality..

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[lubitel]

The ease of focusing and this amazing sound of the shutter release is just ... addictive, heavenly ... its like drugs. I enjoy all my other cameras (FSU and bessa and canon AE1), but I dont really want to shoot anything else, but my M2

 

[lubitel]

then you'll want an m5, an m2, and an m6

I think he should get the M6 as the next one, and then the m2 and m5 in that order 😀

 

[aad]

Well....it's lovely, great finder, quiet-and I don't think it will work for me.

Unless I'm "Going Forth to Take Pictures", the IIIf works better. The size of the M3 gets in the way of shoving it in a jacket or pants pocket-important, because most of the time I have to work/play/ride/travel. Most of my favorite adventure and people pictures were taken with point/shoot Olympus cameras, because my SLRs were too big. The M3 is even bigger, plus subject to rangefinder misalignment if it gets bumped about.

And I really was planning on buying one.

 

[jano]

I test drove a M3, too, and ended up with a Jag instead 😀 😀 😀

 

[Phantom II Pilot]

I test drove a M3, too, and ended up with a Jag instead 😀 😀 😀

Now that is just blasphemy!! Actually, you should have driven an M5, THAT'S THE FACTORY SUPERCAR!!!
(I own a couple of 5 Series E-34's, a 525i & a 535i (with a 5-speed)

 

[SteveM(PA)]

Well....it's lovely, great finder, quiet-and I don't think it will work for me.

Unless I'm "Going Forth to Take Pictures", the IIIf works better. The size of the M3 gets in the way of shoving it in a jacket or pants pocket-important, because most of the time I have to work/play/ride/travel. Most of my favorite adventure and people pictures were taken with point/shoot Olympus cameras, because my SLRs were too big. The M3 is even bigger, plus subject to rangefinder misalignment if it gets bumped about.

And I really was planning on buying one.

But with the Summicron C on there it is an even flatter proposition than my IIIf with collapsible Summicron. And once I put it up to my eye, the extra height is definitely forgiven. I don't think there is any >=f2 lens that could make my IIIf kit flatter than my M3+Summicron C, for a low-light grab 'n go/jacket pocket kit. 🙂

 

[aad]

I use an Elmar almost constantly. I still have the M here, it really is wonderful in many ways, but it just doesn't fit.

In fact, I think the IIIf is more fun.

 

[ferider]

Now that is just blasphemy!! Actually, you should have driven an M5, THAT'S THE FACTORY SUPERCAR!!!
(I own a couple of 5 Series E-34's, a 525i & a 535i (with a 5-speed)

Two wheels to many 😀

 

[raid]

I have to be content with my (user's) 1977 Mercedes 450SL. It needs to be driven more often though. Just like my [Leica] M3. After a while of pampering it is time to enjoy what you own. I like German stuff. My daily car is a 1993 Mercedes 190E 2.6.

If you're from Baden Wuertenberg, then a Mercedes is a "must", whereas if you're from Bayern then a BMW is in place. I am from Baghdad, so I have my options open!

Raid



Raid

 

[aad]

Two wheels to many 😀

Got that right. Of course, some days one DOES like to go slow. Or carry an M Leica.